What are the symptoms of actinic keratosis?

Symptoms of ACTINIC KERATOSIS are: (1) Scaly skin that flakes off

Actinic Keratosis Quiz

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Dr. Ueda graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine and trained at the University of Tokyo Medical School. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, and holds several posts in the dermatology departments at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Komagome Hospital, University of Tokyo, and the Medical Center of Japan Red Cross Society.

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Scaly skin that rubs off
My skin is scaly
Dandruff got worse
Worsening dandruff
Dry scaly skin

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Learn more about Actinic keratosis

Content updated on Nov 2, 2022

What is actinic keratosis?

A rough, scaly patch on the skin caused by damage from UV rays, usually from years of sunlight exposure. The rash itself is not cancerous, but does have a chance of turning cancerous, hence careful monitoring is important.

Symptoms of actinic keratosis

Scaly skin that flakes off

Questions your doctor may ask to check for actinic keratosis

Your doctor may ask these questions to diagnose actinic keratosis

Do you have scaly skin that flakes off?

Treatment for actinic keratosis

This condition may disappear without treatment, but can come back with sun exposure, hence avoiding sunlight and applying sunblock may help. Creams or small procedures can be recommended to remove it.

View the symptoms of Actinic keratosis

Scaling skin

Diseases related to Actinic keratosis

References

Hashim PW, Chen T, Rigel D, Bhatia N, Kircik LH. Actinic Keratosis: Current Therapies and Insights Into New Treatments. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 May 1;18(5):s161-166.. PMID: 31141862.
https://jddonline.com/articles/actinic-keratosis-current-therapies-and-insights-into-new-treatments-S1545961619S0161X/
Dirschka T, Gupta G, Micali G, Stockfleth E, Basset-Séguin N, Del Marmol V, Dummer R, Jemec GBE, Malvehy J, Peris K, Puig S, Stratigos AJ, Zalaudek I, Pellacani G. Real-world approach to actinic keratosis management: practical treatment algorithm for office-based dermatology. J Dermatolog Treat. 2017 Aug;28(5):431-442. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2016.1254328. Epub 2016 Nov 13. PMID: 27796187.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09546634.2016.1254328
Eisen DB, Asgari MM, Bennett DD, Connolly SM, Dellavalle RP, Freeman EE, Goldenberg G, Leffell DJ, Peschin S, Sligh JE, Wu PA, Frazer-Green L, Malik S, Schlesinger TE. Guidelines of care for the management of actinic keratosis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021 Oct;85(4):e209-e233. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2021.02.082. Epub 2021 Apr 2. PMID: 33820677.
https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(21)00502-8/fulltext
Cramer P, Stockfleth E. Actinic keratosis: where do we stand and where is the future going to take us? Expert Opin Emerg Drugs. 2020 Mar;25(1):49-58. doi: 10.1080/14728214.2020.1730810. Epub 2020 Feb 20. PMID: 32067498.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14728214.2020.1730810

Reviewed By:

Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)

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